Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week was established by PANDA in 2005. The week aims to raise awareness about perinatal depression and anxiety, including the signs to look for and where to go to seek support. {Note: Perinatal refers to the window of pregnancy and early postnatal period)

This is an issue close to my heart as I seriously struggled with my mental health when my first child came along. I felt isolated, anxious and was chronically sleep deprived in the grip of crippling insomnia, that went on for months and took me in to a scary dark place where I frequently contemplated self-harm. This stuff is no joke... and we need to keep breaking the silence.

Motherhood is the journey of the heroine, it's magical and beautiful as our hearts are blown wide open with LOVE; but it can also bring us face to face with our SHADOW. Whether it's the ferocious fury that surfaces in the face of toddler defiance, or a dark patch of depression and anxiety as we sit day in day out at home with a crying newborn... this journey shows us all our colours... our darkness and our most powerful radiant selves. Maybe you can relate?

With all this going on in our internal landscape, as we crawl out of our cocoon, being reborn again and again through new portals of motherhood; it can be all too easy to look at other peoples lives on social media, or when you see them at their best at events, and assume that they've got it together, which may give rise to envy or jealousy. Friends-- please remember that none of us are perfect. We are all doing our BEST. And frankly when I hear any whisper in the media about "Mummy wars" all I can think of is my husbands tee shirt that says "The War is Within". When we tend to our own hearts, we can create circles of compassion that expand outwards to our families and communities, lifting all of us up in LOVE.

Today I'm here to tell you it's OK to be a mess! Half the time I AM A TOTAL HOT MESS! The other half of the time, I'm some kind of powerhouse super mum. The ONLY reason I am not a mess 100% of the time is because of my YOGA and MEDITATION practice, which has honestly saved my life, and... my nearest and dearest tribe of friends and family who lift me up, support me, don't judge me for my mistakes... and LOVE me for who I am, not what I DO.

Sisters, if you've been feeling a bit shit lately. I feel you. If you've been rocking out, loving your kids and doing ALL the awesome things. I feel you. It's all about balance, embracing the spectrum and finding gratitude and little joys every day. Gratitude is one of the FASTEST ways for me to pull myself out of a funk, that and some slow deep breaths, essential oils and time in NATURE.

Sending YOU so much LOVE today, for the incredible work you are doing raising the next generation.

If you're really struggling, mama. Please reach out. Call a friend who has your best interests at heart, have a cry, cancel your commitments for the day and create some space for loving SELF-CARE.

And if you think you may be suffering form depression or anxiety- the wonderful humans at PANDA can help. (NOTE: this is an Aussie service, but I'm sure you can google and find a similar service in your area).

Waverton Yoga

Kate Alexandra Yoga offers a spectrum of yoga experiences: online yoga for mamas and mamas-to-be; one to one yoga therapy and personalised small group classes in Waverton, on Sydney's Lower North Shore.